Archive of Our Own

Naruto wakes up to the sight of the way-too-familiar white ceiling of the Konoha hospital. It takes him a second to place it, but the sharp smell of disinfectant and the faint shuffle of sandals in the hallway confirm it. Yep. Back in the village.

The war is over. They won.

His mind struggles to catch up, clawing through the fog of exhaustion. There's something important he should be remembering, something—

"Usuratonkachi."

The voice is raspy and tired, but there's warmth buried in it, and amusement too, like its owner can't quite help himself.

Naruto's head whips toward the sound, a little too fast, and he nearly regrets it. His vision swims before clearing, and there, across the room, lies Sasuke.

Bandages cover most of him, his hair is sticking up in every possible direction, and his right arm — right, Naruto thinks, glancing at his own matching stump — is gone. But his eyes are sharp and alive, and his lips are curved in a small smile that Naruto almost never gets to see.

Sasuke's alive.

They both are.

"Sasuke!" Naruto blurts. His body moves before his brain catches up, sitting bolt upright and making a valiant attempt to throw himself out of bed — only for the world to tilt violently on its axis.

"Oof," he groans, collapsing back into his bed.

"Careful, idiot." Sasuke frowns, and somehow he still manages to sound smug about it. "Sakura said your chakra's drained. You need to rest."

Naruto flops back down, grinning despite the pounding in his skull. "What about you?"

"The same." Sasuke shifts slightly under the covers. "But I'm not dumb enough to try and jump out of bed."

Naruto can't help it — he laughs, a low chuckle that soon builds into a full belly laugh. He's pretty sure he's never felt so happy in his life.

Sasuke's here.

They both survived.

He takes in the mismatched eyes, the dark circles carved underneath, the pale skin stretched over sharp cheekbones, the messy hair that looks like it hasn't seen a comb in weeks. He notices the subtle curve of Sasuke's mouth, the slow movement of his fingers resting on the blanket.

For so long, Naruto had dreamed about a moment like this—when he could look at Sasuke without needing to fight him, without chasing after his shadow. Just look until the sight burned itself into his memory. He hadn't been sure he'd ever get the chance.

But now he can.

And Sasuke doesn't even look away. If anything, his gaze holds steady, though a blush spreads hot and fast across his cheeks, crawling up the bridge of his nose.

Naruto blinks. "Uh… you hot or something?"

Sasuke's blush deepens, but he keeps his voice steady. "I'm glad you're here."

That… is not what Naruto expected. He opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

"I am too." His grin is so wide it almost hurts, and he's not sure if he's going to cry or laugh or both. Maybe it doesn't matter. "I missed you, you bastard."

Sasuke lets out a breathy chuckle, one hand rubbing his eye. "Usuratonkachi."

There's no force behind it.

A comfortable silence falls between them. Naruto leans back, closing his eyes and smiling to himself. The world is a bit too bright and a bit too loud, and his arm is itching where the stump connects with the bandages, but he's content to just lay there for now.

He could easily fall back asleep, but he doesn't want to miss a single second of this.

"Dumbass." Sasuke's voice is softer than usual, and Naruto cracks open an eyelid. "Go to sleep."

Naruto hums noncommittally, watching Sasuke. A moment passes, then another.

"Don't you want to sleep too?"

Sasuke gives him a look that's equal parts exasperated and fond, and Naruto can feel the heat rise in his face. He's not exactly sure why, but that look sends a warm flutter through his chest.

"I'll be here when you wake up," Sasuke says, and it sounds more like a promise.

Naruto can't stop the stupid grin that stretches across his face, and he closes his eyes. He's not worried about what he'll see when he wakes up.

Because Sasuke will be here.

And that's all he needs.

-

Naruto is a hero.

The thought doesn't really hit him until he's standing at the entrance of the Konoha hospital and sees the sheer number of people packed into the street. It's a wall of sound and color, shouts, cheers, flashes of fabric and glittering paper streamers thrown into the air. For one dizzying second, he thinks maybe he's still dreaming.

There are so many people. More than he's ever seen in one place. And all of them are here for him.

To see him.

It's not the first time, technically. But the shock of it hasn't dulled. Naruto blinks dumbly as someone tosses confetti at his head, and a child clambers up onto their father's shoulders just to wave at him harder. He even catches sight of someone crying, which makes him feel weirdly emotional himself.

Kakashi and Sakura stand a little behind him, giving him some space, but he knows they're watching his reactions. He's a little too overwhelmed to care.

He's not alone anymore.

People reach out to press flowers into his hands, or shove neatly wrapped packages at him, or just try to touch his sleeve like he's some kind of holy figure. They crowd around, pushing in as close as they can. It's a bit dizzying.

He kind of wants to tell them he's just some guy, really, and that they don't have to make a big deal out of it, but then again, it's pretty nice being surrounded by people who actually like him for once.

Sasuke is nowhere in sight.

By the time the cheers start to fade and the crowd begins to scatter, Naruto is dizzy in an entirely different way. His arms — his real one and his new, fancy prosthetic — are overflowing with gifts, paper flowers sticking out at weird angles, and he's still brushing confetti from his hair.

"Where's Sasuke?" he asks, twisting around to look for him. He half expects Sasuke to be perched in a tree somewhere, scowling at the whole spectacle. But his dark head doesn't appear.

Kakashi gives him a sideways glance. 

"He didn't want to go through that. So he snuck out the back earlier."

"Oh." Naruto feels the familiar surge of disappointment. He knows Sasuke hates the attention, but it would have been nice if he'd stayed. "Did you see where he went?"

Kakashi smirks at him, like there's some inside joke that Naruto is missing. 

"Said he'll wait for you at your apartment."

Naruto nods, adjusting his grip on the gifts. They're starting to weigh down his arms, and he's a little worried that the wrapping is going to rip.

"I'm glad you two worked things out." Kakashi's voice is warm, and it catches him off guard. "Figured it would happen eventually."

Huh? What does he mean?

They didn't exactly figure that Sasuke would come back to Konoha or that Naruto would save him from himself, but it feels a little late to be questioning it.

"Uh, thanks, Kakashi-sensei."

His teacher smiles and ruffles his hair. 

"Take care of him, yeah?"

Naruto isn't sure what to say, so he just nods again. He can feel a blush rising in his cheeks.

He looks at Sakura, but she seems to be very interested in inspecting her fingernails.

"Sakura-chan? You're quiet."

She smiles, but doesn't meet his eyes. "I'll be fine, Naruto. It was a bit of a shock, but... well, it makes sense, doesn't it?"

It really doesn't. Naruto feels like there is a crucial piece of information that he's missing here. What exactly shocked her? He supposes they had both nearly died, and that probably warrants a bit of a strange reaction, but—

Well. Nevermind.

"Okay." Naruto hesitates. "You sure?"

Sakura gives him a reassuring pat on the arm. "Of course. Now go! I'm sure Sasuke-kun is waiting."

Kakashi chuckles. "And be careful."

Naruto's eyebrows furrow.

"Careful about what? Is there something dangerous at my house?"

Kakashi gives him a funny look and shakes his head.

"I'm not in the right state to have that conversation with you, Naruto. Have fun," he says, waving goodbye and wandering off.

"Wait, sensei—"

"Good luck!" Sakura calls after him.

Naruto stares after them for a moment, but his arms are starting to get sore from holding the presents. Maybe they were talking about something else? Or maybe he'll just have to ask Sasuke later.

Sasuke.

Naruto grins.

He turns and dashes off, leaving the rest of the crowd behind.

-

By the time Naruto gets home, the sun has started to dip behind the rooftops, painting everything in warm gold. He is still half covered in confetti, clutching all sorts of gifts, and wondering what the hell Kakashi and Sakura were talking about.

When he spots a familiar figure standing outside his door, he freezes mid-step.

Sasuke is there. Waiting.

He is leaning awkwardly against the wall by the entrance, trying and failing to look nonchalant. His posture is stiff and tense, his hand flexing unconsciously, and there is a slight crease in his brow.

Naruto blinks, then grins. 

"Hey."

Sasuke looks up.

"Hey."

For a second, neither of them says anything. Naruto tilts his head, studying him. Sasuke looks... nervous. Actually nervous.

Which is ridiculous. This is Sasuke. One of the strongest shinobi alive. The guy who fought against Kaguya and survived. What could possibly make him nervous now?

Naruto narrows his eyes suspiciously.

"Is something wrong?"

Sasuke's gaze flicks toward the street, then back down again.

"I..." He stops, swallows, and then suddenly blurts, "Here."

Before Naruto can ask, Sasuke pulls something out from inside his cloak. A small bouquet of blue flowers.

And then he shoves them straight at Naruto's chest.

Naruto just stares.

"Uh. Thanks?"

Sasuke looks mortified. He takes a stiff step forward and presses the bouquet harder against Naruto until he is forced to grab it.

"You're supposed to accept it, dumbass."

Naruto stares down at the flowers, then back at him. He has never seen Sasuke like this before, red-eared, flustered, looking everywhere except at him.

"Okay," Naruto says slowly. "I accept it. But, uh... why are you giving me flowers?"

"They're supposed to symbolize..." Sasuke stops, his voice trailing off. His gaze darts up to the sky like he is silently begging it to swallow him whole. "Never mind. It was a stupid idea."

He makes a move to snatch the bouquet back, but Naruto instinctively grabs his hand to stop him.

"No! No, I want them," Naruto says quickly.

He has no idea what is happening, but watching Sasuke of all people look so embarrassed does something weird to his chest. It is not a bad weird, just... unexpected.

"You do?" Sasuke asks, uncertain.

Naruto beams.

"Yeah! They're pretty. Thanks, Sasuke."

Sasuke exhales slowly, his shoulders dropping like a weight has been lifted from them. His lips curl into a faint smile, and the light catches his cheekbones and the corner of his eye.

Oh.

Naruto's stomach does a weird flip-flop, and his mouth goes a little dry. He supposes he hasn't had many chances in his life to see Sasuke genuinely smile, so he chalks up the strange feeling to that.

"Come on," Sasuke says, nudging his shoulder, and the contact makes Naruto's heart skip. "Can we go inside? I don't want anyone to see us."

Naruto blinks but shrugs. "Sure."

He fumbles for his keys, unlocking the door and stepping inside. He's a little worried about how he's going to fit all his gifts into his tiny apartment, but Sasuke takes up most of his attention.

As soon as the door clicks shut, Sasuke sighs, the tension draining from his body.

"Why don't you want anyone to see us?" Naruto asks, after a while.

Sasuke doesn't answer, which only makes him more curious.

"You hungry? You want anything to eat?"

Sasuke shakes his head.

"No. Thank you."

Naruto stops mid-step.

"You just said thank you," he says, pointing at him accusingly.

"So?"

"You never say thank you!"

Sasuke rolls his eyes.

"Dumbass," he says, without any heat. "Just set those down."

He motions toward the presents, and Naruto sets them on the coffee table.

"Sasuke, why are you acting so weird?"

"I'm not," Sasuke lies, and sits down on the couch.

"Yes, you are," Naruto argues and sits next to him. "You're giving me flowers and looking all embarrassed and nervous and polite and everything. Did someone replace you with a clone?"

Sasuke huffs, his cheeks reddening. "No. I'm just— Look, I'm not good with—," he sighs. "With this."

"With what?"

Sasuke gives him an annoyed look.

"You really are an idiot," he mutters.

"Hey, that's mean!"

Sasuke's hand twitches, and for a second Naruto swears he is about to get hit. But then Sasuke sighs and leans his head against the couch.

"Never mind."

Naruto decides to change the subject before he digs himself deeper.

"So, uh... where do you live now?" He picks up the flowers again and puts them in a vase. They look nice there, actually.

Sasuke's eyes follow the movement. His brow furrows.

"Nowhere. The Uchiha compound hasn't been rebuilt since Pain's attack. So I figured if we're..." he waves a hand vaguely. "You know. I might as well stay here."

Naruto blinks.

Since they are... what? Back to being friends?

"Well, yeah. You can stay here for as long as you want," Naruto says.

Sasuke exhales, visibly relaxing. "Thanks."

"But," Naruto adds, "there's only one bedroom."

He is not sure what kind of reaction he expected, maybe a grunt, maybe a smirk, but the deep, immediate flush that spreads across Sasuke's face is definitely not it.

"Right," Sasuke says quickly. "Um, I guess it's a little early for us to..."

He stops, swallows.

"I mean, we can take it slow, if that's what you want."

Naruto freezes. His brain, which has faced gods, wars, and global destruction, simply stops working.

"What?"

Sasuke meets his eyes with something that looks suspiciously like gentle understanding.

"We don't have to rush. You've been through a lot. I get it." He hesitates. "I know I'm not very good at this."

Naruto opens his mouth, closes it again, then opens it once more. Nothing comes out. Every possible word he could say seems to make the situation worse in his head.

So he goes with the only thing that feels safe.

"I mean... I'm not bothered by sharing. You're the one who always used to complain when we had to share a tent on missions," he says. "But if you're okay with it, then I'm cool."

Sasuke looks surprised. Then he nods slowly.

"Alright."

"Cool."

"Cool."

The silence that follows is so thick that Naruto can hear the clock ticking on the wall.

Then Sasuke says quietly, "Naruto?"

"Yeah?"

Sasuke's voice softens. "It's nice to be back."

Naruto smiles, a little unsure but sincere. "Yeah. It is."

"I'm not going to hurt anyone anymore."

"I know."

-

Sharing a bed with Sasuke is awkward at first.

Naruto tells himself it is no big deal. They have shared tents before, fallen asleep back-to-back after missions, even woken up tangled in each other's blankets back when they were genin. This should be nothing new. 

But the truth is, it feels nothing like before.

The bed is too small, the air too quiet, and Sasuke's presence feels like gravity itself, pulling Naruto's focus no matter how hard he tries to ignore it. He lies stiffly on his side, trying not to move too much, but every breath Sasuke takes, every soft shift of fabric, feels like a thunderclap in the silence.

The first few nights are torture. Naruto can barely sleep, too aware of every tiny movement beside him. But days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, and somehow, it becomes normal. Sharing a bed stops feeling strange, even though it never stops making his heart pound.

He can hear Sasuke breathing. Slow, even, steady. He can feel the warmth radiating from his body, the faint brush of his sleeve against Naruto's arm when either of them moves. It should be comforting, after everything that happened, to have him this close again. Instead, Naruto feels his heart pounding like he just ran ten laps around the village.

He tells himself it is just awkwardness. Guilt, maybe. Embarrassment. But the heat crawling up his neck and the fluttering in his stomach have nothing to do with guilt. And when Sasuke turns slightly and their knees bump beneath the blanket, Naruto's pulse jumps so fast it hurts.

He knows the signs. He has read the books Jiraiya left him, after all, though he never expected to be using that knowledge like this.

But no. That would be too insane, even for him.

He cannot possibly be attracted to Sasuke. 

Right?

He tries to think of all the times he was attracted to someone. He was attracted to Sakura, when he was a child, and that had faded once she started hitting him. He had also thought Ino was pretty, once upon a time. He was definitely attracted to Hinata. 

But none of these feelings are comparable to what he feels now. 

Because no matter how hard he tries, no matter how many people walk by him in the streets, he can't tear his eyes away from Sasuke. He can't stop staring at the way his eyelashes look against his skin when he's asleep. At the curve of his neck, at the way his lips slightly part when he breathes.

Sasuke is pretty. 

Not in the same way girls are.

There is something sharper about him, something untouchable, but it is softened by that same quietness that always surrounded him. Like the night sky — endless, dark, but full of stars if you look long enough.

Naruto wonders when that change happened. When the boy he used to chase through the trees became someone so composed, so calm. Sasuke's anger used to be loud, wild, consuming. Now it burns quietly, a spark instead of a blaze. Sometimes it flickers in a glare or a clipped remark, but it dies just as quickly.

Naruto thinks it is cute.

He does not say that out loud, obviously. But he thinks it often.

And Sasuke is different in other ways too. He's more tactile. He reaches out more, maybe without realizing it. A hand on Naruto's shoulder to get his attention. Fingers curling around his wrist when they walk somewhere. The lightest touch to his neck when Naruto says something dumb. It happens so often that Naruto has stopped pretending not to notice.

Every touch feels like a shock straight through him.

It is too much. Too close. Too good.

He wants to touch back. To close the space between them, to reach out and finally, finally see what it feels like to hold him properly.

But he cannot. Because if he does, and Sasuke pulls away, it will break something Naruto has spent years trying to piece back together.

He is not sure he can survive that again.

So he stays still, pretending to sleep, trying not to breathe too loudly. His heart beats so fast he thinks Sasuke must be able to hear it.

"Naruto."

Naruto freezes.

"Mh," he manages.

"Are you awake?"

"No," he mumbles into his pillow.

Sasuke lets out a quiet chuckle. It is low and soft, almost fond. "Dumbass."

Naruto's stomach twists. He cannot tell if the nickname is teasing or affectionate. He hopes it is both.

"Naruto," Sasuke says again, quieter this time.

Naruto groans and turns, his face half-buried in the pillow. 

"What?"

"Come here."

Naruto blinks. "Why?"

"Just do it, idiot."

He cracks one eye open. Sasuke is lying on his side, facing him, his expression calm but his eyes strange — softer than usual, but steady.

"What?" Naruto says again, but his voice comes out smaller this time.

"Get over here."

Naruto hesitates, then scoots closer, awkwardly, until they are only inches apart.

Before he can say anything, Sasuke's arm slides around him and pulls him in. Naruto's breath catches. His head ends up on Sasuke's shoulder, his face pressed against the warmth of his chest. Sasuke's body is solid, warm, and completely still.

"What are you doing?" Naruto whispers.

"Holding you."

Naruto's heart stumbles. "Why?"

"I want to."

"Oh."

That is all he can say. His mind is a blur of heartbeat and warmth and disbelief.

Sasuke's fingers trace small circles against his back, slow and absentminded. His chin rests lightly on top of Naruto's head. The sound of his heartbeat is steady, and Naruto finds himself matching his breathing to it without meaning to.

"Is this okay?" Sasuke murmurs.

The question is gentle, but it tears something open inside him. Naruto swallows hard.

"Yeah," he says. His voice barely carries. "Yeah, it's okay."

Sasuke hums quietly, the vibration against his chest making Naruto shiver.

"Go to sleep," Sasuke says.

"You first," Naruto mumbles, his words muffled against Sasuke's shirt.

Sasuke does not answer, but Naruto feels when his body relaxes, when his breathing evens out, when sleep finally pulls him under.

Naruto lays there, his eyes wide open, and he tries to calm the raging storm inside his chest.

Is Sasuke aware of what he is doing to him?

Does he feel the same?

He can't. He can't, because if he does, then everything would fall apart. Because he can't lose Sasuke. Not now.

Not when he's finally within reach.

-

The morning is bright and golden.

Sunlight spills through the thin curtains, soft and warm, filling the room with the kind of glow that feels too gentle for the life Naruto has led. Birds chirp outside the window, a cheerful sound that doesn't quite fit with the storm inside his chest.

He squints as the light hits his eyes and groans softly, lifting a hand to block it. For a second, he doesn't know where he is. The bed is too soft, and there is someone next to him—

Sasuke.

Naruto blinks the sleep from his eyes. Sasuke is lying on his side, still asleep, the sunlight painting his skin in shades of gold and white. His hair is a mess, sticking out in every direction. His lips are parted slightly, his lashes dark against his skin.

Naruto thinks his heart is going to explode.

This is too much.

It's all too much.

The way he feels, the way he can't stop staring at Sasuke, the way his touch makes his skin tingle and his mind go blank.

He's in love.

How could he not have noticed before?

The signs have always been there. The way his heart had raced whenever Sasuke looked at him, the way his cheeks burned when he got too close, the way his entire being had ached for him.

And now, he's in bed with him, and he's not sure how he is supposed to act.

Naruto watches Sasuke sleep, and he's mesmerised. His hair looks so soft. He wonders what it would feel like to run his hands through it.

The urge is strong.

Too strong.

His arm moves on its own, and he brushes the stray strand of hair out of Sasuke's face. His skin is smooth under his fingertips, and he traces the outline of his jaw, then the bridge of his nose.

His eyelids flutter.

Naruto is not fast enough to move his hand.

Sasuke opens his eyes, blinking a few times before his gaze focuses on him. Then – God help him – he smiles. A slow, lazy smile that makes Naruto's stomach flip.

"Hey," he murmurs.

Naruto swallows, his hand frozen on Sasuke's cheek.

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me," he whispers.

Sasuke's hand wraps around his wrist, and his thumb caresses his skin.

"It's fine."

Naruto's heart is beating so loudly that he's afraid it will wake the entire neighbourhood.

Sasuke's gaze is unwavering. It's intense, but not harsh. There's a tenderness to his expression that makes him look almost sweet.

Naruto doesn't want to move.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," Naruto says. "You?"

Sasuke hums and rubs his cheek against the palm of Naruto's hand.

"It was fine."

They stare at each other, and neither of them speaks. Naruto is afraid to break the moment, and he doesn't think he can form words, anyway.

The sun shines on Sasuke's skin, illuminating his face and turning his dark eye into molten silver.

His breath is warm against his skin, and his eyelashes are casting shadows on his cheeks.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispers.

"Hm?"

"I—"

Naruto doesn't finish his sentence.

His hand is still on Sasuke's face, and his lips are just inches away from his own. He's thinking of doing something incredibly stupid, but the moment he makes a move, a knock on the door interrupts him.

They both jump.

"Naruto! Are you home?"

It's Sakura.

"Just a second!" Naruto calls out, and scrambles out of the bed.

His heart is pounding in his chest, and his head is spinning. What the hell was that?

And what the hell will Sakura think if she sees Sasuke here?

He looks at Sasuke for guidance, but the bastard doesn't seem worried at all. He's sitting up, his head tilted, and he's watching him.

"Aren't you gonna answer the door?"

"Uh, yeah," Naruto says.

Before opening the door, he looks around the room, trying to find a way to explain Sasuke's presence. But there's nothing that can really help.

Sasuke is just here, living in his house, sprawled on the bed, looking like he belongs.

Naruto sighs and unlocks the door.

"Hey, Sakura-chan. What's up?"

"Hi, Naruto," Sakura says, and gives him a bright smile.

"Um, come in," Naruto says, and moves aside.

He glances at Sasuke, who is still sitting on the bed.

Sakura follows his gaze.

"Hello, Sasuke," she says, without the slightest hint of surprise.

"Hi," Sasuke says.

Sakura doesn't question the fact that Sasuke is there.

"Sasuke is staying with me," Naruto says.

"Oh, that's nice," Sakura says. "Did you want to get something for breakfast? I heard a new place opened a couple of blocks away."

Naruto stares at her, speechless.

"Okay," Sasuke says, and slides off the bed. "I'm gonna change."

He slips into the bathroom and closes the door, and Naruto is left alone with Sakura.

"You okay?" she asks.

"Uh, yeah. You don't mind that Sasuke is here?"

She tilts her head. "Why would I?"

Huh? Did she stop having a crush on Sasuke?

"Nevermind. Breakfast sounds good. Let me get ready, and we'll go."

Sakura nods.

He gets dressed as quickly as possible, though his mind is still spinning. When Sasuke reappears, his hair is damp and sticking to his forehead, his shirt clinging to his chest. Naruto forgets how to think for a solid three seconds.

"Ready?"

"Yeah," Naruto says.

Sasuke gives him a small, fond look before heading for the door.

The streets are warm and quiet, and Sakura chats as they walk. She is acting a bit strange, but Naruto doesn't think much of it. He's too focused on the way the wind makes Sasuke's hair blow in the breeze.

When they reach the cafe, they are greeted by the waitress, a young woman who looks like she could be related to Ino.

"Good morning," she says, a little too cheerfully.

"Good morning," Sakura says. "Three people, please."

The girl's gaze lands on Sasuke, and her smile widens in a way that makes Naruto's stomach twist.

"Right this way," she says, and leads them to a table by the window.

She's smiling a lot.

"Thanks," Sasuke says.

Sakura takes a seat, and so does Sasuke.

Naruto sits down across from him, feeling weirdly irritated by the way the waitress is still looking at Sasuke like he's the main attraction.

"Can I get you anything?"

"We'll take the breakfast special," Sakura says, before Naruto can speak. "And three coffees."

The waitress nods. "Coming right up."

She smiles at Sasuke again and walks away.

"Well, she seems nice," Sakura says, and leans back in her seat.

"I guess," Naruto says, a little more sourly than intended.

Sasuke chuckles, and Naruto wants to hit him.

"You don't like her, Naruto?" Sakura asks.

Naruto doesn't want to say it. It's ridiculous. Sasuke is his friend, and nothing more.

"She's alright."

Sakura doesn't press the issue.

Their breakfast arrives soon after, and the girl makes another attempt at flirting with Sasuke. She lingers next to their table a bit too long, and asks him a bunch of questions that are not necessary.

Sasuke gives her polite, short answers. He's not interested, but she doesn't seem to get the hint.

"I was wondering," she says, tilting her head, "if you wanted to go out sometime?"

"No, thanks," Sasuke says immediately.

She blinks. 

"Are you sure? We could—"

"I said no, thanks," Sasuke interrupts. "I'm not interested. Besides, I'm taken."

"Oh."

The girl freezes, her smile faltering, then mumbles something about refilling the coffee and retreats to the kitchen.

Sakura snorts. Sasuke smirks.

Naruto just stares at his plate.

"What's so funny?" Naruto asks.

"Nothing," Sakura says, and takes a bite of her eggs.

Naruto huffs and digs into his own plate.

"She's probably not gonna show her face again," Sakura says.

Sasuke shrugs and continues eating.

"I don't care," he says, and steals the tomatoes from Naruto's plate.

"Hey, I was gonna eat that!"

"You don't like tomatoes," Sasuke says and slides a piece of his bacon onto Naruto's plate.

Naruto looks at the peace offering, then at Sasuke's face, and decides that sharing is not so bad.

-

The walk back home is quiet.

Sakura says goodbye to them and heads off in the direction of the hospital. It was good to spend some time with her, but it's nice to have some space.

Especially since the encounter with the waitress has made him even more confused.

Sasuke doesn't seem bothered by it, but then again, Sasuke never seems bothered by anything. Naruto wishes he could be like that. Calm. Collected. Not completely losing his mind every time their shoulders brush.

They arrive at the house, and Naruto unlocks the door and steps inside. Sasuke follows, his movements easy and unhurried, like he's at home. Like this is his house too.

And maybe it is.

"You're pretty popular," Naruto says.

"Not really," Sasuke answers, and takes his shoes off.

Naruto huffs.

"I mean, you are popular," he says. "People notice you."

Sasuke tilts his head.

"Yeah, well, it's not like I'm interested," he says, and sits down on the couch. "Come sit."

Naruto hesitates for a second before obeying. The moment he sits, Sasuke reaches over and pulls him against his side. It's such an easy, familiar motion, like he's done it a hundred times before. Naruto freezes for a heartbeat before melting into the warmth of it.

"You didn't have to tell her you were taken, you know," he says, his voice muffled against the fabric of Sasuke's shirt.

"Hn," Sasuke says, and his arm tightens around Naruto's waist. "Stop worrying about stuff that doesn't matter. It's annoying."

Naruto's breath catches. His heart is thudding so hard that he’s sure Sasuke can feel it. He wants to say something, anything, but his brain refuses to cooperate.

The air feels heavier than before. Sasuke is warm, solid, and real beside him. It's stupid how aware he is of every little thing — of the rise and fall of Sasuke's chest, of the way his thumb is brushing slow circles against his hip, of the soft sound of his breathing.

He feels... weird. Like he's not really himself anymore. Like there's someone else living in his body, and all these emotions rushing through him are too big to belong to one person.

But maybe that's not entirely true. Maybe it's been him all along.

Maybe he's always loved Sasuke.

He just never realised it.

-

Naruto is going to confess.

There's no way he can hide his feelings anymore, not after realising how deep they actually run.

Sasuke has dialled up on the touching, too. He's like a cat, rubbing against him, always looking for his warmth. He's affectionate, and a bit possessive, and he's so cute that it makes Naruto want to cry.

There's no way Sasuke doesn't feel the same.

So he's decided that he'll do it.

It's hard, because every time he thinks about it, his heart starts racing, and his stomach does somersaults, and his hands are shaking.

He doesn't know how Sasuke will react.

It could end their friendship, and he would hate that, but it could also make things better.

He needs to know.

They are sitting on the couch, watching TV, and Sasuke is resting his head on Naruto's shoulder. His eyes are closed, and he's breathing softly, and Naruto is overwhelmed by how much he wants to kiss him.

"Sasuke," he says.

"Hm?"

"Can we talk?"

Sasuke lifts his head and looks at him.

"About what?"

"About us," Naruto says.

Sasuke tenses, his fingers digging into Naruto's thigh.

"What about us?"

"I'm not sure," Naruto says. "I just... I need to talk about it."

Sasuke swallows.

"Alright."

"You're my best friend," Naruto starts.

"Yeah," Sasuke says.

Naruto fidgets. This is harder than he thought it would be.

"I mean, you are so important to me," he continues.

Something flashes across Sasuke's face. Fear? Sadness? Naruto can't tell.

"We're close. And we've been through a lot together," he says.

Sasuke's eyes drop, and his hand tightens around his thigh.

"And I don't want to lose you," Naruto says. "Ever."

Sasuke looks up sharply. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"Breaking up— What?"

"I get it," Sasuke says, and his tone is bitter. "It's fine."

He moves to stand up, but Naruto grabs his wrist.

"Wait," he says. "What are you talking about?"

"You're breaking up with me."

Naruto's mind is spinning. He's trying to understand, but nothing makes sense.

"How could I break up with you when we are not even together?" he asks.

Sasuke stares at him.

"Don't be a fucking idiot, Naruto. We are. Obviously. I told you how I feel after our fight at the Valley of the End. And you did, as well. You accepted."

"I did?"

"Yes," Sasuke hisses. "And now you're dumping me."

"No, I'm not," Naruto says. "I was gonna confess that I'm in love with you, and ask you if you felt the same."

Sasuke blinks.

"What?"

"I was gonna say that I love you, and I wanted to be with you," Naruto says. "Like, together, together."

"You are already with me, dumbass. We live together. And we sleep in the same bed," Sasuke snaps.

Naruto's brain is malfunctioning.

"We're dating?"

"Yes, moron," Sasuke says.

Naruto is so stunned he doesn't know how to react.

"When did this happen?"

"Are you serious? You confessed! You said I was your goal all along, and that I was not allowed to die. And I told you I accept my defeat. That I'll stay with you. Do you remember that? Do you?"

Naruto thinks about the conversation.

"Yes."

"Well, what the hell did you think that meant?"

"I don't know! That we were friends! Or that I loved you as a friend! I thought it was platonic!"

Sasuke rubs his temples.

"Unbelievable."

Naruto doesn't know what to do. He's still reeling from the fact that Sasuke had apparently agreed to date him, and he'd thought they were doing it all along.

"Are you saying you've been my boyfriend since then?"

"Yes, dumbass," Sasuke snaps. "Or, I thought so, at least."

Naruto tries to process the information. 

"Wait, so you are saying you've been thinking we were dating this whole time? For months?"

"Yes," Sasuke spits.

"But we never even kissed!"

Sasuke scowls.

"Well I figured it was your thing. Like, we don't have to kiss or anything, as long as I'm here, you know? As long as we are together. And if you want me, which apparently you don't."

"I do want you," Naruto blurts.

"Yeah, whatever," Sasuke mutters.

"I do! I mean, I didn't know we were dating, but I wanted us to be more than friends. I was gonna tell you today."

Sasuke scoffs.

"Why didn't you say anything? Or like, give me any signs? Anything?" Naruto asks.

Sasuke rolls his eyes.

"I brought you flowers, told you I was gonna move in with you, slept in the same bed as you, and hugged and cuddled and basically did everything except kiss you, and you still didn't get it. What more was I supposed to do?"

Naruto stares.

"I'm pretty dense, aren't I?"

Sasuke gives him an unimpressed look.

"That's putting it mildly."

"I'm sorry," Naruto says. "For being a dumbass."

"Whatever," Sasuke grumbles.

"Do you still wanna date me? Even though I'm stupid?"

"Unfortunately," Sasuke mutters.

Naruto grins and throws his arms around him, pulling him close.

"I'm sorry," he whispers.

Sasuke's hand finds its way to his hair, and his fingers slide through the strands.

"You're lucky you're cute," he mutters.

"Are we gonna kiss now?"

"Not if you keep talking," Sasuke says, and leans back, looking at him.

Naruto shuts up immediately.

Sasuke's mouth curls into a small smile. He cups Naruto's face, thumb brushing along his cheekbone, eyes soft and searching.

Naruto feels the heat rise to his face. His heart is racing so hard it feels like it's trying to escape. He leans forward, and Sasuke meets him halfway.

Their lips touch.

It's like a spark that sets off an explosion inside him. The world stops. There’s no air, no sound, no thought. Just Sasuke, warm and solid and real.

Sasuke's hand slides to the back of his head, fingers curling in his hair. His tongue grazes Naruto's lip, and Naruto opens for him instinctively. The kiss deepens, slow and burning, and Naruto feels like he's finally breathing after years underwater.

His hand rests on the nape of Sasuke's neck, his skin soft under his fingertips. Their tongues meet, and a jolt of electricity shoots through him. He can feel the warmth radiating from Sasuke's body, and his smell surrounds him, and his touch is sending sparks through his entire being.

It's like the sun has come out, and everything is bright and beautiful and warm.

He's been dreaming of this moment, and he's not going to let it go to waste.

When they finally pull apart, Naruto’s head is spinning.

"I love you," he breathes, smiling.

Sasuke hums softly, pressing his lips to Naruto’s throat. "I know."

Naruto laughs under his breath, which earns him another scoff from Sasuke.

"And I love you too."

-

They spend the next two days holed up in the house, alternating between making out and arguing.

The arguments are mostly stupid, and usually end with Sasuke either storming out of the room, or throwing something at Naruto, who can't help but laugh at the way Sasuke's cheeks get all flushed and pouty.

Sasuke always makes sure to shut him up.

There are also the more... passionate moments.

The first time Naruto sees Sasuke without a shirt, he almost chokes on his own spit.

He's seen Sasuke's bare chest before (that outfit from his time with Orochimaru was not exactly subtle), but seeing him like this, so close and so intimate, is a different story.

So it's no surprise that their relationship changes drastically after that. And by drastically, he means the clothes are staying off. A lot.

He's not complaining.

"You know, there are things we need to do," Naruto says. "Like, go shopping, and get groceries."

"Do it later," Sasuke mumbles.

He's half-sprawled on top of Naruto, and he seems determined to stay exactly where he is.

"But it's almost five, and the shops will close soon," Naruto protests.

"I don't care," Sasuke says, and his hand drifts lower, down to his hip.

"My instant ramen stash is running low," Naruto points out.

"Not my problem."

Naruto huffs, but doesn't resist. They can go later.

Or tomorrow.

He runs his fingers through Sasuke's hair, smiling when Sasuke purrs contentedly and rubs his face against his neck.

"You're a cat," Naruto says, and chuckles.

Sasuke gives him a look, then rolls his eyes and kisses him.

"Don't call me that," he says, and trails his lips along the line of Naruto's jaw.

Naruto shivers.

"Okay," he breathes.

They don't get to the store until much, much later.